What is hair porosity? How to identify low, medium, and high porosity
Perhaps you've heard the term before: hair porosity.
But what does it actually mean? And why is it so important when choosing the right CG products?
Many people only consider their curl type. But porosity determines how your hair reacts to products — and that makes a huge difference.
In this article, we explain:
- What hair porosity is
- How to identify your porosity
- What your hair needs with low, medium, or high porosity
What is hair porosity?
Hair porosity refers to how open or closed your hair cuticles are. This determines:
- How well your hair absorbs moisture
- How well your hair retains moisture
- How products penetrate your hair
You can compare it to a sponge:
- A dense sponge absorbs water slowly
- An open sponge quickly soaks up water, but also loses it quickly
It works the same way with hair.
What influences porosity?
Porosity can be:
✔ Innate
✔ Changed by hair coloring
✔ Changed by bleaching
✔ Changed by heat styling
✔ Changed by damage
Unsure what your hair needs?
👉 In our hair test, you'll discover your porosity and which products suit it.
Low porosity
With low porosity, the hair cuticles are tightly packed.
You'll often notice this:
✔ Products sit "on" your hair
✔ Your hair dries slowly
✔ Your hair feels healthy and smooth
✔ You experience more build-up
What does medium/low porosity hair need?
- Light products
- Few heavy oils
- Small amounts of protein
- Apply products to wet hair
💡 Tip: Use a heat cap with a hair mask to temporarily open your hair cuticles.
High porosity
With high porosity, the hair cuticles are open.
You'll often notice this:
✔ Your hair gets wet quickly
✔ But also dries out quickly
✔ Your hair frizzes more easily
✔ Your hair feels dry or brittle
✔ Your hair is often colored or bleached
What does high porosity hair need?
- Richer products
- Intensive hair masks
- More protein
- Protection against moisture loss
👉 Want to know more about protein? Read our blog about protein and the CG Method.
How to determine your porosity?
There are various ways to test porosity, but many at-home tests (like the glass-of-water test) are not always reliable.
The best way is to look at:
- The condition of your hair
- Whether it's colored or bleached
- How quickly it dries out
- How it reacts to products
Want to be sure?
👉 Take our hair test and discover your hair profile.
Why porosity is more important than you think
Two people with the same curl type can get completely different results with the same product.
This is because porosity determines:
- How quickly products are absorbed
- How much hydration you need
- How much protein is suitable
That's why at CurlCandy we always look at:
- Curl type
- Porosity
- Hair thickness
Together, they define your ideal routine.
👉 Also read: How do I determine my hair characteristics?
Which products suit your porosity?
Low porosity:
- Light leave-in
- Small protein
- Not too much oil
High porosity:
- Richer leave-in
- Large protein
- Sealing products
Want to start directly with a suitable routine?
View our routines tailored to your hair characteristics.
Still unsure?
Determining porosity can sometimes be confusing.
With our hair test, you'll discover in a few minutes:
- Your porosity
- Your curl type
- Which products suit it
Frequently asked questions about hair porosity
What is hair porosity?
Hair porosity describes how open or closed your hair cuticles are and how well your hair absorbs and retains moisture.
Can porosity change?
Yes. Bleaching, dyeing, and heat (damage) can increase your porosity.
Does high porosity hair always need protein?
Often, yes, but it depends on the condition of your hair. Too much protein can also be counterproductive.
